What Classes Will Be Offered?

(NOTE: The reference to “Junior College” preceded the use of “Community College” and is reflective of the historical period of the following information)

Many questions put to the new Board centered on the kind of classes that would be offered. Considerable discussion took place regarding curriculum and how courses might be administered part-time in other facilities like area high schools, since the college did not have its own campus as yet.

Board member Skinner, a proponent for part-time classes using vacant high school classrooms, reported what facilities were available to the junior college until its own building was finished.

According to Skinner’s research, classrooms available during the day included five classrooms for 150 students, one shop for 20 students, no labs and no gyms. In evenings after 4 p.m., 141 classrooms for 3,950 students were available, one gym, 30 shops for 567 students, and 34 labs for 790 students.

Skinner had been talking with Crystal Lake High School District 155 and its Vocational and Technical Education Programs Director John Garrett about overseeing vocational classes for the college. Garrett investigated the idea with the State Board of Vocational Education, Springfield, and found the state was interested in adult programs in McHenry County.

The State would reimburse the college district for these classes based on instructors’ salaries. The tuition charged could run as high as one-half the instructor’s salary. It was noted that quality workers were needed in the area.

Garrett was well-qualified with a Master’s degree, 12 years in industry, and 10 years in vocational education.

Although the idea sounded good, Board Member Parsley questioned whether programs other than the courses currently offered by area high schools could be provided.

Dr. Leschuck then reminded members that Board guidelines required a president be hired first.

The matter was put to rest when High School District 155 decided it was not in the best interest of the Crystal Lake school system to enter into an arrangement with the College during the fall semester. However, it offered to review the matter for the second semester.

At the urging of Skinner, the College Board decided to advise the Executive Secretary of the State Junior College Board of the plans and ask him to attend a meeting with the Board.

Student Views of the Junior College Experience

At an early board meeting, C. W. Coons, a member of the McHenry County Education Foundation, shared the results of a survey of local high school students’ views of junior college. These were students from the Alden-Hebron-Richmond High Schools.

A total of 270 surveys were returned, with 48% saying they would attend a college, 37% were undecided, and 15% were definitely opposed to attending the local junior college.

The reasons for not attending the local junior college included 37% saying they did not think there would be adequate courses; 27% disliked the idea of there being no campus; and 36% felt the salaries for instructors would be too low. Students also identified their desired areas of study:

Desired Subjects of Study
Secretarial	14%	Home Economics	9%
Engineering	13%	General	7%
Pre-Education	12%	Agriculture	6%
Art	12%	Chemistry	4%
Business Accounting.	10%	Marketing	2%
Data Processing	10%	Finance	1%

Check back soon to learn how the college got up and running that first year!

40^th Anniversary Celebration Activities Underway

Join us for ongoing 40^th Anniversary celebrations, including posting your memories and photos on our electronic time capsule and MCC blog. Links and event details are posted at http://www.mchenry.edu/mccanniversary. Pages will change regularly, so visit often! You also can call toll-free 1-866-788-9911 or send an email with contact information to 40years@mchenry.edu for more information.

Iris Bryan

Pure Oil Building Looks Promising

(NOTE: The reference to “Junior College” preceded the use of “Community College” and is reflective of the historical period of the following information)

After its initial office site failed to meet Woodstock zoning requirements, the Board again began its search for suitable space. The search was brief. Mr. Spaeth, President of Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) presented an offer of office space in the former Pure Oil Research Laboratory building at Route 14 and Main Street, Crystal Lake. Pure Oil had donated the building to IIT.

Mrs. Hill, who was handling the search for office facilities, told the Board approximately 2,000 square feet of space was available at $3 per foot. She thought this figure could be reduced to $2.50 or perhaps $2 a square foot, and included janitor services, a watchman, air conditioned offices, and plenty of parking. In addition, classroom space was also a possibility.

The Board thoroughly discussed this offer as well as other sites previously considered. The primary concern expressed by the board was that the new college could loose its identity by sharing space with an institution such as IIT. Some disagreement arose with Dr. Harris saying it was penny-wise and pound foolish. However, following more discussion he made the motion to accept the IIT proposal and negotiate the best price. The College Board unanimously agreed.

Office Space Secured

Successful negotiations with IIT resulted in leasing 1,500 square feet for one year for $3,750 annually. The Board hoped to occupy the site by September 1, 1967. Two signs would be allowed, one at each of the two entrances. But a name for the newly formed educational institution was needed for the signs.

Above is a view of the entrance to the IIT building where the newly formed junior college offices would be located.

District Name Needed

The plan to move into office space increased the need to name the new district. Mrs. Hill, Dr. A.D. Leschuck and Dr. J. F. Harris comprised a committee to determine a name. They had requested suggestions from the public but were unable to agree upon one, and eventually they decided to hold a contest to name the district. The prize would be a one-term scholarship of $100 to $150. This idea came from another new junior college district attempting to create a name. The committee set the entry deadline for September 1, 1967.

The contest was open to all residents of the McHenry-Boone County area located in the new junior college district. Name suggestions were based on old Indian lore, distinguished citizenry, and area geography. People were encouraged to enter as many times as they desired, but to keep each entry separate with their name, address and phone number on each entry form.

Financial Matters

Financial matters also had the Board’s attention. A committee headed by Board President E.C. Nichols set the budget for the fiscal year of July 1, 1967 through June 30, 1968. This document identified anticipated expenditures of $542,000, including $355,000 for the education fund, $185,000 for the building fund, and $2,000 for the municipal retirement fund. A public hearing was held, but no one in the public raised questions.

The Board also agreed to impose a $425,000 levy to ensure tax revenue for 1968, and hire Jim Burch as a part-time bookkeeper at the rate of $2.50 per hour.

Check my next Blog to learn more about the institution’s struggles to beginning classes.

40^th Anniversary Celebration Activities Underway

Join us for ongoing 40^th Anniversary celebrations, including posting your memories and photos on our electronic time capsule and MCC blog. Links and event details are posted at http://www.mchenry.edu/mccanniversary. Pages will change regularly, so visit often! You also can call toll-free 1-866-788-9911 or send an email with contact information to 40years@mchenry.edu for more information.

Iris Bryan

Office Location Determined, then Changed

(NOTE: The reference to “Junior College” preceded the use of “Community College” and is reflective of the historical period of the following information)

At its fourth meeting in June, the Board considered leasing the former Hamer property, 307 Jackson Street, Woodstock, as office space for $175 per month. The home had been purchased by attorneys and turned into offices. The need for office furniture and utilities was handled by the committee of Mrs. Joan Hill, Cal Skinner, Sr., and Thomas Parsley. The Board hoped to hold its fifth meeting on July 13^th in the “new” office facilities.

But, first, a routine zoning change was required. Initially, the building’s owners believed a zoning change was not needed since the building would be used for educational purposes.

Woodstock City officials differed and a zoning hearing was conducted to consider rezoning the property from residential to office. Residents surrounding the Hamer property strongly opposed the use of the building for offices and expressed these concerns to the Woodstock Zoning Board at a public hearing. As a result, the Junior College Board was again seeking office space after the Zoning Board denied the rezoning request.

Presidential Qualifications

Another important issue engaging the board was the qualifications for a college president. The committee of Dr. A. D. Leschuck and Thomas Parsley provided the following objective: “We are seeking to obtain a president who will supply strong educational leadership to the college such as his recommendation on future plans and possibly to implement plans which may have already crystallized.”

“Many qualifications can be considered such as academic training, experience in junior colleges or elsewhere, personal characteristics, educational and business administrative philosophy and know-how.”

Board President Nichols added, “The College President needs to be a man with patience, a man with ideas, and a man with determination.”

The Board was adamant the person chosen have a Doctorate, although age was not a great factor in determining the right man. They also wanted an individual who would support a flexible program encompassing both academic and vocational courses. The Board also felt the President should be a part of the decision-making process concerning a permanent college campus.

These criteria and other pertinent facts were crafted into a brochure for prospective applicants. The Board hoped to have a President for the college by September 1.

Where did the College Board eventually call home? Find out in my next blog.

Summer, Fall Anniversary Activities Underway

Join us for ongoing 40^th Anniversary celebrations, including posting your memories and photos on our electronic time capsule and MCC blog. Links and event details are posted at http://www.mchenry.edu/mcanniversary. Pages will change regularly, so visit often! You also can call toll-free 1-866-788-9911 or send an email with contact information to 40years@mchenry.edu for more information.

Iris Bryan

Board Seeks an Office Location

(NOTE: The reference to “Junior College” preceded the use of “Community College” and is reflective of the historical period of the following information)

With some of the necessary housekeeping matters resolved, the new Junior College Board still needed a location it could call “home”. Meetings continued to take place in the McHenry County Superintendent of Schools Office, located in what was then called the Courthouse Annex, just off the Woodstock Square on Calhoun Street. It is now the site of the Woodstock City Hall.

At least four facilities were offered to the newly formed district, including one in downtown Crystal Lake, and several locations in Woodstock. The Board researched all offers, considering cost, location, and the amount of available office and parking space.

Money from the State for Initial Expenses

The State of Illinois provided the promised $100,000 for initial expenses. The check was deposited in the bank on July 14, 1967. The State provided this amount for each newly formed junior college district once it was approved by the public. The funds would help cover the search for a college president, initial salaries, office rent, office equipment, and operating expenses. The state money also could help high school graduates begin their junior college work immediately. It would cover tuition for students from McHenry County’s newly formed junior college district to attend any other junior college in the state. The board received over 300 applications for this assistance.

Depositing the check in the McHenry State Bank, the financial institution chosen by the board, are from left, a bank teller accepting the check; Board Member Mrs. Joan Hill, McHenry Bank Officer Tom Bolger, selected by the board as its Treasurer; Board Member Tom Parsley, Junior College Board Chairman E.C. Nichols, and William Banker, Board Secretary.

Meeting Details Decided

The Board settled on the Fourth Thursday of each month for its meetings, although the location was not yet determined. As for meeting notification under the Open Meetings Act, the board decided individuals who wanted notice of the meetings should provide self-addressed and stamped envelopes.

Vocational Education Classes

To determine which adult technical and vocational programs would most benefit local companies and their employees, the Adult Education Committee surveyed businesses and professions of McHenry County. Board members Cal Skinner, Sr. and Thomas Parsley worked on this committee.

In addition to potential courses, the questionnaire inquired whether business leaders or their employees might teach courses on a “moonlighting” basis, and if companies might have space available for classes to meet.

The survey suggested technical and vocational courses such as blueprint reading, industrial mathematics, electricity (ac and dc), electronics, machine shop, sewing, typing stenography, comptometry, bookkeeping, drafting, wiring and soldering, sales promotion, plumbing, cosmetology, human relations, conference leading, job instructor training, cost control, quality control, safety training, work simplification, material handling, reading improvement, industrial economics, industrial report filing, sales and distribution, and retail mathematics.

Crystal Lake and Woodstock high schools seemed anxious to cooperate, as reported by Skinner. Board member Banker suggested a college president should be hired first.

Be sure to return to this site for more history blogs and learn about the numerous activities the newly formed board had to work on before classes could begin.

Summer, Fall Anniversary Activities Underway

Join us for ongoing 40th Anniversary celebrations, including posting your memories and photos on our electronic time capsule and MCC blog. Links and event details are posted at www.mchenry.edu/mccanniversary. Pages will change regularly, so visit often! You also can call toll-free 1-866-788-9911 or send an email with contact information to 40years@mchenry.edu for more information.

Iris Bryan

Necessary Tasks Continue To Mount

(NOTE: The reference to “Junior College” preceded the use of “Community College” and is reflective of the historical period of the following information)

Many tasks facing the new Board could not be resolved immediately. Some matters depended upon other people, and the Board was careful in its spending of tax dollars. The issue of office space was one such matter.

In the beginning, the Board used the Superintendent of Schools Office located in the County Courthouse Annex, Woodstock. A number of offers were made for office space. Free space in a second-floor facility above a Walgreen Drug Store on Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake was offered. Fred Rozum, Director of the McHenry County Special Education District, suggested sharing space in a former furniture store since his district’s lease was expiring in November 1967. The building owner offered the use of the entire building at one-half the total rent until another tenant was found. Also offered was a former Woodstock residence turned into office space. The Board tentatively chose this facility, but left the door open to consider other possibilities, as a zoning question connected with this property first had to be resolved.

Campus Site Offers

The Board advertised it was open to ideas on a permanent campus site. However, as proposed during the referendum, the site needed to be located in a triangle bounded by the cities of McHenry, Crystal Lake and Woodstock. Additionally, the State Junior College Board required at least 100 acres for a site.

One site was offered in 1966 before the district-forming referendum was held. At its third meeting, the Board considered a different site. A letter from the City of Woodstock offered a portion of what was known as the Flood farm, located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Dean Street and the U.S. Highway 14 By-pass in northwest Woodstock. City water and sewer were located at the edge of the site and the City was offering to pay one-fourth of the property cost with funds from the sale of a formerly city-owned electric plant.

Mayor Frances Kuhn felt the remainder of the cost could be sought as state and federal aid, thereby eliminating the need for a district-wide tax for a site acquisition. The Board expressed its gratitude, but President Nichols noted nothing could be done at that time, as criteria for a site had not yet been determined. He also clarified the state’s reimbursement policy, explaining the State would pay three-quarters of costs not covered by donations. In other words, it would pay three-quarters of $195,000 since the City was offering $65,000 toward the $260,000 price.

Talk of this site caused heated discussions among members of another county government, the McHenry County Board. In 1965, the Flood Farm had been offered as a possible site for a new County Courthouse, then located on the Woodstock Square. In reviewing this site, architects said the anticipated increased traffic on nearby Kimball Avenue and Dean Street would be undesirable in the residential neighborhood.

Additional campus sites were mentioned, including:

• A 553-acre parcel known as Windy Knoll Farm, outside Crystal Lake
• A 320-acre parcel on the northwest corner of Route 120 and Draper Road, McHenry
• A portion of a farm in Ridgefield, in the middle of the suggested triangle.

William Baker, site committee chairman for the McHenry County Educational Foundation, provided the Board with criteria his committee developed for a junior college site during the successful referendum.

Organizational Decisions Made

The Board put site selection on hold and turned its attention to naming Thomas Bolger as Treasurer and McHenry Bank to handle the finances of the District at a fee of $10 per year. An auditing firm, Brooks & Zbornik, was retained to ensure the Board remained on the right financial track.

William Carroll was named attorney for the Board at a fee of $150 per month. Carroll attended all board meetings, and provided legal information. If a matter required a great deal of research, the Board would be charged $30 per hour for that work.

A part-time secretary had been hired for a short time and another had to be found when the first one resigned. At the time, the Board was paying $2.50 per hour.

Trustee reimbursement for college work was set at eight cents per mile in private car and full reimbursement for lodging and food.

Learn of other hurdles the Board faced as it built the institution we know today as McHenry County College.

More 40^th Anniversary Celebration Activities Underway

Following the successful April 15^th celebration open house, more anniversary events are planned for this summer and fall.

Event details will be posted at http://www.mchenry.edu/mccanniversary as the program develops. Pages will change regularly, so visit often. Be sure to share your memories and photos on the MCC blog and electronic time capsule. You also can call toll-free 1-866-788-9911 or send an email with contact information to 40years@mchenry.edu for more information on upcoming events!

Iris Bryan

Difficult Work Begins

Once the Junior College Board of Trustees organized, many important matters were addressed to prepare the new McHenry County higher education facility for future students. The first few months following the successful 1967 referendum saw many Board of Trustee meetings covering a multitude of topics. Some of the most important included:

• A treasurer and a bank, an essential part of operating the newly formed district
• An attorney for the Board
• The district name
• Office space
• State requirements
• Class facilities
• A college president
• Professional and clerical staff
• An interim campus
• A permanent campus site
• A budget

Once the officers of the board were resolved, several committees were formed, including an Attorney Committee with members William Banker, Thomas Parsley, and Cal Skinner, Sr. The committee to select a Treasurer and a bank consisted of Banker and Skinner. A committee to select a district name included Mrs. Joan Hill, Dr. Harris and Dr. Leschuck.

Tuition Payment Offered

In addition to these housekeeping chores, the Trustees offered to pay the tuition of any resident in the newly formed district who desired to attend summer or fall classes at any public junior college in Illinois. No deadline for applications was set, nor was a cost estimate determined.

Along similar lines, the Board expressed a willingness to accept, without question, all Lake County residents who desired to attend the new McHenry County Junior College when it opened. The Board also offered to accept any high school district adjoining the newly formed district boundaries, even if located in Lake County.

When Will the College Doors Open?

A highly debated question during this time was the date for the college’s official start of classes. Board President Everett Nichols said the major obstacle in getting the college underway was the lack of a college president. A number of the other Trustees shared this view, as well as the State Junior College Board Associate Secretary, Albert Martin, Jr.

Trustee Skinner wanted to see vocational classes offered in the Fall 1967 term, if students, instructors and a location could be found. The application to the State Junior College Board for the $100,000 available to the newly formed district cited this plan. Requirements for the beginning of classes were set by the State Junior College Board and conveyed by Martin.

The difficulties facing the newly formed board were many, and at times the board was not in full agreement. Each member was passionate about what he felt was best for the new district. In the end, a lot of disagreement turned into agreement for the betterment of the college.

More 40th Anniversary Celebration Activities Underway

Following the successful April 15^th celebration open house, more anniversary events are planned for this summer and fall. Event details will be posted at www.mchenry.edu/mccanniversary as the program develops. Pages will change regularly, so visit often. Be sure to share your memories and photos on the MCC blog and electronic time capsule. You also can call toll-free 1-866-788-9911 or send an email with contact information to 40years@mchenry.edu for more information on upcoming events!

Iris Bryan

A New Education Era in McHenry County

On June 1, 1967, the new Junior College District 528 Board of Education held its first meeting in the Superintendent of Schools office at the McHenry County Courthouse Annex, Woodstock.

The Board elected E. C. Nichols, Superintendent of Marengo High School, as its president and J. William Banker, Jr., Woodstock as Secretary. The seven members drew lots for their term lengths. Nichols and Mrs. Joan Hill, Crystal Lake, drew one-year terms; Thomas Parsley, Woodstock, and Banker drew two-year terms. Dr. A.D. Leschuck, Harvard, Dr. J.F. Harris, Richmond, and Cal Skinner, Sr., Crystal Lake, drew three-year terms. Nichols and Mrs. Hill could run for the board again in April 1968.

Information and Funds From the State

Dr. Albert H. Martin, Associate Secretary of the Illinois Junior College Board, met with the new board, presenting necessary materials, information, and an application for a $100,000 State grant. This was available to all Illinois junior colleges for their first year of operation.

Board members hoped to open the higher education facility in Fall, 1967. This meant a lot of preparatory work, including finding a place to hold classes, hiring administrative and teaching staffs, determining curriculum, and all the details involved with putting a learning institution into operation.

The board queried Dr. Martin about opening the junior college in the fall for vocational classes. He explained the board might be too late to fill that wish. However, questioning from board member Skinner revealed the State Board probably would approve starting vocational and adult non-credit courses in the fall, if an administrator, teachers and students were found.

This was the first of many meetings held before the newly formed junior college could open its doors to students. Its application to the State affirmed the College intended to start classed in the Fall of 1967.

No Time to Waste

Not wanting to waste time, the board approved three committees. Members Skinner and Banker were to make suggestions regarding a treasurer and a bank for deposit. Parsley, Banker, and Skinner were to make recommendations for an attorney for the board; and Hill, Leschuck, and Harris were to explore possible names for this newly formed institution of higher education.

Learn more about the early trials of the Board and fledgling institution in my next blog.

Get Ready to Celebrate

Sunday, April 15 kicks off year-long festivities commemorating the 40^th Anniversary of the founding of McHenry County College. Join us for an opening afternoon program followed by a ceremonial tree planting, college open house, public reception with cake and refreshments, and a performance by the MCC Concert Band and Choir during the college’s “Second Sunday Concert” series. At the event, you can share your MCC memories, visit archival displays, have a picture taken to post among alumni displays, and contribute college memorabilia to a special digital time capsule.

A new addition to the anniversary celebration is an interactive Electronic Time Capsule that enables visitors to posts their messages, along with audio and video clips. It’s a great way to share your college memories with others. Visit the Time Capsule at: https://www.electronictimecapsule.com

Login to the anniversary account using the following login: [MCCanniversary] and password: [40 years]. Then just follow the prompts.

Event details will be posted at http://www.mchenry.edu/mccanniversary as the program develops. Pages will change regularly, so visit often. And, contribute your entry into the MCC anniversary guest book. You also can call toll-free 1-866-788-9911 or send an email with contact information to 40years@mchenry.edu for more information on the celebration!

Iris Bryan